Expert: opening “Eurovision-2017” on the “Sophia of Kiev” territory is blasphemy

Earlier it got about that “Sophia of Kiev” Sanctuary, listed in the UNESCO, was selected for an opening ceremony of “Eurovision-2017”. Deputy Chairman of Kiev City Administration Aleksey Reznikov remarked during the presentation that Sophia of Kiev is currently inactive as a temple and museum, therefore “we do not hurt any religious feelings of believers.”

“This cannot be allowed in any case, because it’s blasphemous. There is a huge cemetery on this territory. In the Soviet times the tombs were leveled with the ground, laid pathways and grass-plots. But Prince Yaroslav the Wise, Vladimir Monomah, as well as outstanding citizens and Kiev Metropolitans are buried there. It’s inappropriate to arrange “tittup on the bones”, it’s immoral, there should be respect for our ancestors,” said Vasiliy Anisimov.

According to him, the territory of Sophia Sanctuary, once taken away from the UOC, has to be returned by all rules to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. There used to be a residence of Kiev Metropolitans there, whereas Saint Sophia Cathedral was active till 1929. “Now the temple has been transformed into the museum. We are told divine services cannot be held there, since the walls will reportedly collapse. For over one thousand years it was safe and sound – and now it should inevitably collapse. It comes out then concerts can be organized there, underground parking is also allowed, while to use the house of God what it is intended for is prohibited,” added the journalist.

Earlier the competition was supposed to take place on the territory of the International Exhibition Center. The complex was built in 2002 and is located on the left bank of the Dnieper River.

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